Legacy Paddlesports doubling hires for new plant

Al Gregory, plant manager with Legacy Paddlesports, talks about the pit that will hold the oven to roto-mold kayaks when the facility opens later this year.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 9:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 9:36 p.m.

FLETCHER — Business is so good for Legacy Paddlesports, the kayak manufacturer is hiring twice as many workers as originally anticipated for its new plant in Fletcher.

In January, CEO Bill Medlin said the $4.5 million facility would initially employ about 50 workers, but now he's looking to hire as many as 100 employees to start. The manufacturing plant is expected to be in full operation by September.

"We've seen a dramatic uptick in our business, and we are currently growing at three times the industry growth," Medlin said last week.

Legacy Paddlesports plans to hire an additional 18 to 26 employees for 2013 and 2014, respectively, and will continue to bring in qualified people for years to come, Medlin said.

He attributes much of this year's explosive growth to the mild winter, which allowed people to participate in more outdoor activities.

Legacy Paddlesports has ramped up new employment in a shorter period of time than any company that Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development has worked with in the past five-plus years, said Andrew Tate, president and CEO of HCPED.

"That immediate impact to persons seeking employment is of considerable value," Tate said. "Their decision to relocate here adds new dollars to the local economy and encourages a sense of optimistic momentum that is exciting and contagious."

He said the company's move to Henderson County has caught the attention of like-minded companies, and HCPED is working to continue to grow the outdoor industry sector.

"Beyond the positive benefits of traditional economic-development measures, Legacy and their management team are friends to Henderson County," Tate said. "Their impact to the community and economy will be considerable; they are a natural and welcome fit."

The workforce will encompass employees in manufacturing, administration, mold maintenance, facility maintenance, kayak molding and assembly, as well as shipping and warehousing.

Legacy Paddlesports is working with Blue Ridge Community College at the Henderson County JobLink Career Center to recruit team members. Joblink Director Jason Chappell is encouraging interested individuals to come into the center.

"We are excited to be partnering with Legacy Paddlesports and assisting them with their needs regarding pre-screening, work keys testing and setting up the actual interviews," Chappell said.

The company is moving from Greensboro to the 130,000-square-foot Fletcher location at 210 Old Airport Road, and Medlin said he is looking forward to making the company home in Western North Carolina.

Legacy currently owns an outpost for paddlers in Flat Rock, liquidlogic, which will also be housed in the new building. Medlin has wanted to have a stronger presence in the area that is home to several kayaking destinations.

"Green River is in our veins," Medlin said.

And Legacy is well on its way to pumping out its product — the plant should be 50 percent operational by July, Medlin said.

In August, Henderson County commissioners approved $93,555 in economic incentives for Legacy, and the town of Fletcher added another $46,777 for the recruitment effort. Those incentives are intended to spread over the next five years.

In addition to liquidlogic, Legacy brands include Native Watercraft and Heritage Kayaks.

For more information and job opportunities, visit www.legacypaddlesports.com or call JobLink at 828-694-1753.

<p>FLETCHER — Business is so good for Legacy Paddlesports, the kayak manufacturer is hiring twice as many workers as originally anticipated for its new plant in Fletcher.</p><p>In January, CEO Bill Medlin said the $4.5 million facility would initially employ about 50 workers, but now he's looking to hire as many as 100 employees to start. The manufacturing plant is expected to be in full operation by September.</p><p>"We've seen a dramatic uptick in our business, and we are currently growing at three times the industry growth," Medlin said last week.</p><p>Legacy Paddlesports plans to hire an additional 18 to 26 employees for 2013 and 2014, respectively, and will continue to bring in qualified people for years to come, Medlin said.</p><p>He attributes much of this year's explosive growth to the mild winter, which allowed people to participate in more outdoor activities.</p><p>Legacy Paddlesports has ramped up new employment in a shorter period of time than any company that Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development has worked with in the past five-plus years, said Andrew Tate, president and CEO of HCPED.</p><p>"That immediate impact to persons seeking employment is of considerable value," Tate said. "Their decision to relocate here adds new dollars to the local economy and encourages a sense of optimistic momentum that is exciting and contagious."</p><p>He said the company's move to Henderson County has caught the attention of like-minded companies, and HCPED is working to continue to grow the outdoor industry sector. </p><p>"Beyond the positive benefits of traditional economic-development measures, Legacy and their management team are friends to Henderson County," Tate said. "Their impact to the community and economy will be considerable; they are a natural and welcome fit."</p><p>The workforce will encompass employees in manufacturing, administration, mold maintenance, facility maintenance, kayak molding and assembly, as well as shipping and warehousing. </p><p>Legacy Paddlesports is working with Blue Ridge Community College at the Henderson County JobLink Career Center to recruit team members. Joblink Director Jason Chappell is encouraging interested individuals to come into the center.</p><p>"We are excited to be partnering with Legacy Paddlesports and assisting them with their needs regarding pre-screening, work keys testing and setting up the actual interviews," Chappell said.</p><p>The company is moving from Greensboro to the 130,000-square-foot Fletcher location at 210 Old Airport Road, and Medlin said he is looking forward to making the company home in Western North Carolina.</p><p>Legacy currently owns an outpost for paddlers in Flat Rock, liquidlogic, which will also be housed in the new building. Medlin has wanted to have a stronger presence in the area that is home to several kayaking destinations.</p><p>"Green River is in our veins," Medlin said.</p><p>And Legacy is well on its way to pumping out its product — the plant should be 50 percent operational by July, Medlin said.</p><p>In August, Henderson County commissioners approved $93,555 in economic incentives for Legacy, and the town of Fletcher added another $46,777 for the recruitment effort. Those incentives are intended to spread over the next five years.</p><p>In addition to liquidlogic, Legacy brands include Native Watercraft and Heritage Kayaks.</p><p>For more information and job opportunities, visit www.legacypaddlesports.com or call JobLink at 828-694-1753.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>